"Roku launched the first ever streaming player to deliver Netflix to consumers in the U.S. and now we are among the first to bring Netflix to residents of the U.K. and Ireland," said Clive Hudson, Roku's vice president and general manager for Europe, in a statement. "In addition to Netflix, we are launching with a variety of entertainment channels and look forward to expanding our content selection in the same way that we have in the U.S. where we have more than 400 channels today."

In the U.S., Roku's channels include Amazon Instant Video, Crackle, Hulu Plus, HBO GO, MLB.TV, Pandora, Facebook, Angry Birds, and more. In the U.K. and Ireland, Roku offers much of the same with over 40 channels including Netflix, sports from MLB.TV and Ultimate Fighting Championship, and music, social networking, news, and games. Roku says it plans to announce more channels shortly.

Both the Roku LT and the Roku 2 XS connect to any television and use built in WiFi, which lets people stream videos, music, and games online without a PC. Since first launching Netflix streaming players in 2008, Roku says it has delivered entertainment to 2.5 million different players.

Netflix is on board with Roku's expansion, said Greg Peters, vice president of product development. "We're happy to count Roku amongst the devices that stream films and TV programs to the TVs of our new members in these countries," he said in a statement. According to Netflix, its service costs 5.99 pounds ($9.24) per month in the U.K. and 6.99 euros ($8.88) per month in Ireland.

The streaming players go for 49.99 pounds ($77.40) for the Roku Lt and 99.99 pounds ($154.83) for the Roku 2 XS, and are available for pre-order on Amazon's U.K. site with expected shipment at the end of January. Roku says it will announce more retailers shortly.

About the author

Dara Kerr is a staff reporter for CNET focused on the sharing economy and tech culture. She grew up in Colorado where she developed an affinity for collecting fool's gold and spirit animals.
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